Answer
In this counseling answer:
•In order to encourage your daughter to enjoy a variety of foods, you will have to be patient and creative.
•Try to keep a variety of fruits available in the house but in small amounts.
•You can give her a choice between an apple or a pear instead of only offering them one at a time.
•Once the choice is made have her help you wash the fruit she chose and I suggest you peel it and cut it into appropriate size pieces.
As-Salam `alaykum, dear sister,
What an amazing adventure you have ahead of you!
As a relatively new mother, you will enjoy many firsts in your daughter’s life, in sha’ Allah. May Allah bless you both and guide you on this journey.
You say in your question that your daughter is between one and two years old and drinks about 8 oz. of juice a day.
This is really not a problem as long as the juice is 100% natural fruit juice and not something with sugar and artificial colors and flavors.
Be patient and creative
The juice should be given in a sippy cup and not a bottle to avoid dental problems. Of course, the juice is not a substitute for water and whole fruits.
•In order to encourage your daughter to enjoy a variety of foods, you will have to be patient and creative.
•Try to keep a variety of fruits available in the house but in small amounts.
•You can give her a choice between an apple or a pear instead of only offering them one at a time and having them both be rejected. This way your daughter feels like she is the one making the choice.
•Once the choice is made have her help you wash the fruit she chose and I suggest you peel it and cut it into appropriate size pieces.
•Then you can put it on a plastic plate or bowl that she really loves. A wonderful source of vitamins is dried fruit.
•Again, make sure that they are as natural as possible. Do not forget about raisins. Most toddlers find them fun to eat and they keep well in a travel bag as a snack.
The point is to keep the whole experience as happy as possible. A sure way to a picky eater is to try to force your child to eat things she doesn’t want to eat.
Getting children to drink water can also be difficult. Again, it is important to be patient and creative to be successful.
Decorate daughter cup
•If your child can use a straw, there are colorful curly ones in some stores that kids love to use.
•You can get small paper cups in a variety of colors and designs. Let her choose what cup she wants to use for the day.
•You can get plain paper cups and then decorate one with stickers and crayons to use for the day. Mom can make a cup for herself also. This way, your daughter is following your example and not just your rules.
Remember to teach your daughter to eat with her right hand and to say “Bismillah.” You can say other du`aa’ with her. You will be surprised how quickly she learns.
I hope that these ideas are useful for you. May Allah bring you joy and happiness in all of your deeds.
Another Answer:
As-salamu `alaykum ,
I am glad, sister, that you liked my advice to the other mother, and I pray that it will be of benefit. My advice will be brief, as I believe that the previous advice applies to your daughter as well.
You should not give up trying to offer her fruit. Offer it to her before offering her other things, while she is hungry.
I would also like to suggest that you talk to your pediatrician about any guidelines on the amount of juice that is appropriate for a child her age.
Fresh fruit over fruit juices
I do believe, however, that professionals are favoring fresh fruit over fruit juices, due to a recent study that linked the over-consumption of juice with childhood obesity.
If you think of the calorie levels of juice as compared to a piece of fruit it will make sense, and fruit juice has no fiber!
Many preschool programs across the United States has opted juice out of the drinks they offer the children and they are now only offering them water and milk during snack and meal times.
I ask Allah the Almighty to grant health to you and your family and to make your offspring of the righteous.
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(From Ask About Parening archives)